Commissioners Cautious In Response to Development Authority Report

The Oconee County Industrial Development Authority received a cautious response Tuesday night when it delivered its report on industrial development to the county’s Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Jim Luke said the report “was a great work in progress” but that he was concerned that the Authority was putting too much emphasis on creating industrial parks.

Commissioner John Daniell, who, with Luke, has called for the study of prezoning as a means to encourage industrial development in the county, also said he was content with the report of the Development Authority so far.

Daniell said industrial parks are only one tool to use to encourage industrial development in the county and said he wants the Development Authority to continue its study.

Neither Commissioner Margaret Hale nor Commissioner Mark Saxon responded to the report, which was delivered by IDA Chair Rick Waller.

BOC Chairman Melvin Davis, himself a member of the IDA, told Waller he was thankful for the time the IDA had spent on the project and knew that additional time spent “will be well worthwhile.”

For more on this story, with video clips of the Tuesday meeting, go to Oconee County Observations.